Baraka Trading is an online DVD and movie store specializing in boxed sets. Operating out of Melbourne for 20 years, Baraka trades on eBay. They aim to dispatch all orders within 48 hours and advertise specific products Express Post Same Day, Dispatch Same Day, Express Post, or Free Delivery. It's therefore important that you check the individual item that you're purchasing to ascertain how quickly you'll receive the items.

I purchased a 23 disc box set of Doctor Who Series 1-4 as a Christmas present for my children. I was cutting it fine and only purchased it on Wednesday morning, 19th December. The box set was dispatched on Thursday in Melbourne by Express Post and arrived at my home in SE Qld the following day, Friday 21st December. I was overwhelmed by the efficiency of their service during the manically busy pre-Christmas rush period and can't recommend them too highly. Moreover, the price was better than any other retailer I had investigated in Australia, at $73.40 plus $11.40 postage. You just can't go wrong!

The care and maintenance of a septic tank is something outside of the consideration of most urban dwellers. I'd never encountered a septic tank until I moved to a rural property in Central West NSW. Prior to that my only experience of properties without sewerage was a friend who had lived in the far western suburbs of Sydney. He was the butt of all manner of jokes because his home was still serviced by a night soil man!

Residing now on one of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, septic tanks are again something I must contend with. Thankfully Lee's Liquid Waste Services come to the rescue and service of Bay Islanders with their fleet of 17 trucks. A family operated business for 30 years, Lee's provide a fast, friendly and efficient service. Together with septic tank cleaning they also clean drains and grease traps, deliver bulk water, and undertake non destructive digging. I recommend their services highly.

Riverina (Australia) Pty Ltd produces animal feeds for farmers and is a major exporter of protein and grain meals. With an 80 year history behind them Riverina are experts in the field of stockfeed.

I can swear by Riverina Stockfeeds' "Chick Starter Crumbles". I've presently got 15 gorgeous 7 week old chicks that have been feed on this Chick Starter since they hatched. I haven't lost a single chick and they are all absolutely thriving. I'd previously used the same feed for my 12 month old hens when they were very young. They too thrived and have become in my books, at least, champion layers. Riverina is the only chick starter I'd use.

Approximate cost: $25.00 for 20kg

Ridley AgriProducts produces animal feeds for sheep, poultry, pigs, dairy, horses, cattle, and domestic pet food for dogs. Feed lines are marketed under several different trading names including Bartastoc, Rumevite, Cobber, Ridley Aqua-Feed and Ridley Dairy Feeds. These trading names evidence the history of Ridley AgriProduct's acquisitions over the years.

After trying several different feeds for laying hens the only one that I'll now use is Ridley's "Barastoc Darling Downs Layer". My hens absolutely thrive on it and can be often found with their heads in a half open bag of Darling Downs desperately trying to steal some more food. My chooks are prolific layers and produce superb eggs. I put this all down to their feed. On one occasion when I couldn't get Darling Downs Layer I had to use a substitute. My hens promptly went off the lay! At just over $20.00 for a 20kg bag, this feed just can't be beat.

Approximate cost: $23.00

Until about 6 weeks ago I'd never heard of Opinions Paid, which is quite unusual as I thought that I'd signed up for just about every online survey site in Australia. Whilst reading a review on WOMO for another survey site, I noticed a comment to the effect that Opinions Paid was a far superior site. I decided to check it out and wasn't disappointed.

Although you aren't overwhelmed with surveys, the ones for which you receive emails have clearly been well tailored for you and I've been rarely screened out. Points are referred to as "Zoints" and you generally receive around 400 for a 20 minute survey. In less than 6 weeks I'd accumulated 2300 points which enabled me to redeem a $20.00 Coles Myer Gift Card. Perhaps most incredibly, the gift card arrived in only 6 days (all the way from Melbourne to Brisbane) during the Christmas season. I'm very impressed and recommend Opinions Paid highly.

Approximate cost: $Free

Russell Island Real Estate is the first such agency that a visitor to Russell Island will come upon as they disembark the ferry and start their journey up High Street. Less than 100 metres from the jetty, this agency is located on the first corner in a pleasantly appointed and attractive free standing building. A large veranda at the front provides a pleasant shaded area for perusing the many listings in Russell Island Real Estate's windows. The native trees around the building add to the ambiance of this unique, family owned and operated business.

The proprietors, Wendy and Bevan Dorrington, have lived on Russell Island since 1996 and Wendy first sold real estate on the island in 2001. Given that some of the big franchised agents on Russell Island don't even live on the island, this evidences the Dorrington's commitment and passion to their chosen profession. The agency has an excellent website which includes testimonials from happy buyers. Detailed information on Russell Island can be found here, including the most splendid photos. The website is well worth a visit.

In these days of franchised real estate agents it's increasing rare to find an independently owned agency that's prepared to swim against the tide of conformity. Russell Island, which is one of the four Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI), is fortunate to have several such agencies. Given Russell Island's unique location, features and beauty, it's all the more important to have an agent who is passionate and conversant with its peculiarities.

Conveniently located just up from the ferry jetty, Eddie A'Bear Real Estate has a nicely appointed shop and an excellent website. The aerial photo of the island's jetty and foreshores on their home page is just superb and sure to entice even the most cynical. Properties are listed by category, namely house sales, land sales, and properties for rent.

The South-East News Magazine is a weekly publication distributed free to businesses throughout Redland City. Advertising itself as being "Proudly Australian owned & operated media", this publication is essentially a 7 Day TV Guide for the 15 free to air channels available in the area.

South-East News also publishes a What's On, Crossword, Win It Competition, Your Stars, Local News, and Specials. Produced on colour newsprint, this 32 page publication contains many advertisements for local businesses, together with a "True Blue Trades & Services" classified directory.

Approximate cost: $Free

The larger 96 page weekday sister publication of The Redland Times, The Bayside Bulletin is published each Tuesday. With a circulation approaching 50,000 copies, this newspaper is distributed within the boundaries of the Redland City Council and beyond.

Featuring extensive coverage of local news, The Bayside Bulletin is an important source of information for local residents and tourists alike. Weekly features include "Redland Snapshot", a Council sponsored advertisement of items of cultural interest throughout the city; Seniors news; local event listings; and extensive real estate listings. The Guide features arts and theatrical events and the usual classified advertisements, including job vacancies, are in abundance. Sports, Boating and Fishing, including Tide Times, are also included in each issue of Bayside Bulletin.

Approximate cost: $Free

The Redland Times, published each Friday, is a Weekender newspaper covering stories of interest and importance to the residents of Redland City. Distributed free to mainland householders, and available for pick-up from many businesses, this tabloid size paper is usually around 32 pages in length.

Together with local news, The Redland Times has regular features on Home & Outdoors, Motoring (Drive), and Times Out which includes a gig guide and advertisements for local cinemas, clubs and theatrical productions. An extensive listing of properties Open for Inspection is included, together with a considerable number of Trade Services and Classified advertisements. Scattered throughout this full colour (newsprint) publication are a plethora of advertisements for businesses, many of them locally owned, operated and independent small enterprises.

Approximate cost: $Free